How
Smartcards add Security and Convenience

Smartcards are tiny devices which contain computer memory
chips capable of storing large numbers of passwords and other hard-to-remember
information. Although smartcards have traditionally looked like common
credit cards, an emerging trend has been to build them into USB key chain
devices similar to Flash memory sticks. The photo on the left shows both
kinds of devices.

Smartcards are protected using a PIN code or password known only to
you. The benefit of using them is that no matter how many passwords are
locked up inside, you only need to remember this one single PIN to gain
access to this information. Once you enter your PIN, your computer will
be able to read all the other passwords directly from the smartcard.

Benefits of Smartcards

Here are some of the most-common benefits of smartcards:

Relatively inexpensive.

Small devices fit in wallets and on key chains.

You only need to remember one PIN code.

Computers can read application passwords directly
from smartcards.

You can choose longer more-complex passwords since
you won't be needing to type them.

Security is increased since both the smartcard
and its PIN are needed to use them.

SafeHouse and Smartcards

One of the most exciting features in SafeHouse is its full support of
popular smartcards. You can now use smartcards to store the passwords
for your SafeHouse volumes. This means no matter how many volumes you
have, or how long or complex your passwords are, you'll never need to
remember or type them again. You just need to remember one PIN.

When smartcards are enabled in SafeHouse, you'll be offered the opportunity
to enter your PIN and let SafeHouse read your passwords directly from
the card. Besides simply being convenient, this allows you to choose super-long
passwords for your SafeHouse volumes since you'll never actually need
to type them once they're saved inside your smartcard.

Smartcards are discussed in detail in other sections of this help guide.
Here, we just wanted to make sure you were aware that SafeHouse includes
built-in support for these handy devices so you don't miss out.

Virtual Smartcards using USB Memory Sticks

Now this is something we're really excited
about. SafeHouse can now turn an ordinary off-the-shelf USB Flash disk
or memory stick into a virtual smartcard. We say "virtual" smartcard
because we're using software to simulate many of the functions normally
performed by the computer chips found in true smartcards.

The reason this is so exciting is that now anyone can take advantage
of SafeHouse's integrated smartcard support using a common memory stick.
SafeHouse only needs about 200KB of space on the memory stick to store
its files; and you can still use the remaining space however you choose.

How to Enable Smartcards in SafeHouse

SafeHouse's support for smartcards is enabled and configured using controls
found on the Options
tab of the system tray utility.